Seven Day Campaign In Odisha
A seven days campaign was organised in Odisha on issues of demonetisation after 50 days. In Bhubaneswar, a rally went to PMG square where Mahendra Parida, City Committee Secretary of Bhubaneswar and Radhakant Sethy, State Committee Member, Amiya Panda of AIPF and others addressed the meeting. They elaborated on Modi’s failure on demonetization and his attacks on democracy in the name of so called reforms. Com. Sethy and Com Parida said that the Modi government did not ensure return of a single black money from the likes of Adani and Ambani. He instead took the money from common masses to give loan in cheaper interest to the corporates. The campaign was also done at Delang, Keonjhar and Rayagada. In Delang, Ashok Pradhan led the campaign where he described that farmers continue to suffer due to demonetization and most of the people are still struggling to make banking transaction in rural areas. In Rayagada, Tirupati Gamango and in Keonjhar Sucharu Naik, Banshi Dhar Parida and Jameswar Pradhan took lead role in this campaign.
People’s Tribunal And Protest Marches in Bihar
After the completion of 50 days of demonetization disaster, protest programmes were organized across Bihar as part of the countrywide ‘Modi Hatao-Roti Bachao, Loktantra Bachao-Desh Bachao’ (Remove Modi-Save Livelihood, Save Democracy-Save India) call. PM Modi’s resignation was demanded through people’s tribunals and protest marches at several places in the State.
A people’s tribunal was organized in the capital Patna where different sections of society related the distress caused to them due to the note ban. ‘Chorus’ staged a street play “Andher Nagri Returns” to highlight the true intent of the note ban. Leaders speaking at the tribunal pointed out how this demonetization is anti-poor and pro-corporate, and how it has caused distress to farmers, workers, migrants, women, small traders, and all poor people by destroying livelihood and small savings while benefiting rich businessmen and corporate houses. Apart from Party leaders, many people affected by the note ban such as workers, women, farmers, tempo and rickshaw drivers and students including vegetable vendor Suresh Mehta, construction worker Shyam Sawa, students Sudhir Kumar, Prashant and Rahul related their experiences. AISA organized a students’ tribunal at the Patna University gates. Protest marches were also taken out in Vikram, Fatuha, Masaurhi, Phulwari, Paliganj, Bihata and Naubatpur.
Protest marches were taken out in Bhagalpur during which speakers pointed out the anti-poor and pro-corporate objectives of the note ban. People’s tribunals (Jansunwai) were organized in Darbhanga and Samastipur. Protest marches were taken out and PM Modi’s effigies were burnt at Muzaffarpur, Bhojpur and Siwan. A people’s hearing (Jan Panchayat) was organized at Arwal in Bhojpur and Jehanabad. Protest marches were organized in eastern Champaran. Panapur Block HQ in Saran was gheraoed. A dharna was organized at Bhargama Block in Arariya and a 11 point charter of demands was submitted to the BDO. Protest programmes were also organized in Gaya, Kaimur, Rohtas, Buxar, Madhubani, Gopalganj, Vaishali, Nalanda, Nawada, Aurangabad and other places.
Jharkhand
In Danda block of Garhwa district, a massive ‘Aakrosh March’ of nearly 1500 people was organised against the ill effects of demonetization, irregularities in the public distribution system (PDS), and lack of jobs in MNREGA and non-payment of wages. The march was followed by a public meeting.
Protest meetings were organised in the Mohanpur Bazaar of Deogarh district, Dumka Shikaripada, and Kundhit block in Jamtara. A memorandum was submitted to the President. In Dhanbad, a dharna was organised. In Tamar block headquarters in Ranchi district, a sankalp sabha was held which also protested the amendments in CNT and SPT Acts which intends to grab people’s land.
